Ophthalmologist in Alexandria

A retinal detachment is more serious than a retinal tear. It is something that needs to be addressed in a timely manner and you need expert care from a specialist. At The Retinal Group of Washington, we’re pleased to offer exactly that to you, our valued patient. Our ophthalmologist in Alexandria is highly skilled and experienced at handling retinal detachment, so you can rest assured that you in the best hands. Surgery is typically the best solution for a detached retina.

There are two types of surgery that are common for effecting a repair of a retinal tear: laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy. However, for a detachment, the likelihood is that you will need a more invasive and complex procedure in order to correct it. There are three options that are used in such cases and they are called pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, and vitrectomy. Deciding which one is the most appropriate for you will require taking into account your unique circumstances, the exact location around the retina where the detachment has occurred, and if you have any scar tissue that is present prior to the surgery being done. Our ophthalmologist in Alexandria will go over the pros and cons with you and ensure that you understand them.

Retinopexy is when a bubble of gas is injected into the center of your eyes. The bubble presses on the retina and then photocoagulation, which utilizes a laser, is used to seals the retina back to normal. The bubble is kept in your eye for about 1 to 3 weeks afterward to ensure that the bond is strong. The scleral buckle procedure involves our ophthalmologist in Alexandria placing a piece of flexible material (often plastic) over the sclera (white) of your eye and then sewing it into place. It exerts pressure on your retina so that it can get its normal position back, flat against the wall of the eye. Heat or cold is used to facilitate the bonding. Vitrectomy is where the vitreous gel of your eye is removed. This is done when there is bleeding in the retina and it is designed to stop it. Call our retina specialist today to learn more.